Syracuse Basketball: Jim Boeheim vs Mike Krzyzewski
This game is going to be a lot more than just Duke vs the Syracuse basketball squad. It’ll be a battle between life-long friends with everything on the line.
Both Duke and Syracuse haven’t had perfect seasons by any stretch of the imagination. Syracuse has dealt with a variety of new players entering the fold and huge expectations self-imposed by their head coach. An inability to win outside of the Carrier Dome plus inconsistent play from a different player every night doesn’t help.
While the current voice of the Blue Devils, Bob Harris, told us on ESPN Radio in Syracuse that Duke has dealt with a ton of injuries this year. Throw in coach Mike Krzyzewski’s back surgery and Grayson Allen’s propensity to stick his foot where it doesn’t belong and we’ve got a cluster.
Although it seems like Duke has found their proper footing at just the right time in the season. The Blue Devils have won seven games in a row (all of those coming in the ACC) and are firmly in the NCAA tournament. While the Orange have lost three straight and are contrarily on the tournament bubble.
When Bob Harris was asked about the relationship between coach Boeheim and coach K, who are both long-time friends, here’s what he said:
"“He doesn’t talk about it all that much in public, but I’ve been with Mike for 37 years. I’ve known the relationship for a long time, we first met Jimmy when he came down and played in our Duke’s Childrens Golf Classic a number of times. Mike was very responsible for getting Boeheim down here. The incredible thing is the longevity of not only their relationship but their tenures. Not just the longevity, but the successful longevity I might add. They’ve both been winners at two outstanding universities.”"
Harris continued on by discussing the difficulty of what these two coaches have been able to
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"“You know our kids have to go to school. They don’t get to take fake classes and stuff like that. I’m not referring to anyone in-particular of course.”"
Oh we got you loud and clear Bob.
Although the theme of this piece is to discuss this relationship between these two central powers. Two powers that are on top of the college basketball world and have been for a very long time.
Two of the most winning est coaches in college basketball history. This is not just a basketball game. Both of these coaches are friends, but also competitors.
Next: Syracuse Football Recruiting Sitdown: Nykeim Johnson
Syracuse is the more desperate team. They play well at home (14-3) and will be playing in front of a raucous crowd in front of, reportedly, north of 30,000 screaming fans. If they want to make the tournament, they’re going to need this win.